Junior Football

Wheatley Hill, in second place in the Russell Foster League Tyne and Wear Youth League, were the visitors for a game, which brought committed attacking from both teams and a 6-1 win for the away team. In the early stages the Crook defence had Chris Lowes, Adam Reed, Wayne Clarke and Darryl Reed prominent.

After 20 minutes Crook went ahead when they were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out and Andrew Lockhart hit a low drive past Chris Harker. Three minutes later Wheatley Hill equalised when Steve Bradley put a good ball through for Gary Davies to run on and shoot past the exposed Stuart Walker. John Wylie put the visitors ahead just before the break.

Early in the second half Wheatley Hill scored through Wylie and Alan Ward but Crook kept working hard with David Pearson and Michael Taylor working well in midfield. However, late in the game, Gary Davies completed his hat-trick to seal Wheatley Hill's victory.

However, Crook kept fighting to the end and in the closing minute Jonathan Foster made a good run down the left and squared the ball for Lockhart to shoot. He was unlucky to see his shot hit the bar. Reed crashed the rebound back only for Harker make an outstanding save.

The Crook man of the match went to Stuart Walker with Gary Davies being the successful Wheatley Hill player.

l On Sunday, Crook Town Horizon Glass are away to Waldridge Park with a 10.30 am kick-off.

Darlington Spraire Lads

Despite the better weather only five Spraire teams played at the weekend, mainly due to the chaotic fixture list. At Under-12 level both the A and B team played.

The A team put in a good performance and were unlucky to lose 5-4 to Nunthorpe. The Spraire goals coming from Grainger (2), Longstaff McBride and Dale Elgie who was also man of the match.

The B team entertained Brompton in another close game and despite coming back from 3-0 down to draw level, were unlucky to lose 4-3. The Spraire goals came from Liddle and two from man of the match Elgie.

At Under-13 level only the A team played and performed well when sharing the points in a 2-2 draw with Teesside Athletic, the goals coming from Butler and Healey.

In mini soccer, the Under-10s played two games, winning 2-0 against Newton Aycliffe Sports on Saturday, the goals coming from Verity and Thumbron and on Sunday played Hartburn Juniors and in another close encounter Spraire lost 2-1. The Spraire goal came from Hickman.

The Under-eights played in the semi-final of the league trophy, going through to the final by defeating Whinney Banks 1-0, the goal coming courtesy of Chambers while man of the match went to keeper Charlton for an outstanding display. There were good display from Johnstone and Todd, their tackling excellent.

In the friendly that followed, Spraire won 5-2 with two goals for Burgess on his debut, one for Plum and one for usual keeper Charlton.

The Under-eights have reached the Evening Gazette Cleveland Youth League Cup final where they will play Marton Hall Drive. The match will be played during May.

Team: goalkeepers Chris Charlton and Jonathan Burgess; defence Matthew Bowers, James Bennett, Brian Todd, Dale Johnston; attack Matthew Plumb, Jackson and Wilson Kneeshaw, Rob Chambers.

l Spraire Lads are holding trials for next season's mini soccer squads. Players should be under eight-years-old on September 1, 2001. A good goalkeeper is a top priority and may be used in a May tournament.

Practice sessions are held in Darlington's South Park on Thursdays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 9.30-11.30am. For more details ring Linda, Mark or Dave Scott on (01325) 253581.

Coxhoe Boys

The Under-10 team lost 4-0 to East Boldon Bees in the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth League and also suffered a 7-0 defeat against East Diurham Community College.

Darlington 21st AllStars

Ia slightly reduced league programme, six of the nine teams avoided defeat, most of the games being played in muddy and tiring conditions.

The Under-16s travelled to Coulby Newham and maintained their lead at the top of the table with a well-earned 4-2 victory. Two early goals settled Allstars' nerves and while the home side had their chances, a strong defence largely kept them at bay. Stuart Ford (19 for the season) and Lee McDade each got two goals and Richard Dalton was man of the match for a towering defensive display.

The Under-13s made it two league wins in succession with a 3-2 victory at home to North Ormesby FC. Allstars carried on where they left off in their previous match with an excellent display in which every player made an important contribution. Daniel Hewitson made it eight for the season with a brace and Stevie Richards notched the other. Man of the match was Kevin Taylor.

The only seven-a-side team in action, the Under-10s, got their first point in three games and their first league draw of the season, with a 2-2 scoreline at home to Billingham Town. Ross Kelly and man of the match Jack Johns got the goals. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s won 3-1 with two goals from Liam Clarke and one from Daniel Groves. Man of the match was Liam Coates.

The Under-12 Colts were in First Division action at home to Norton and Stockton Ancients and more than matched their more physical opponents in a hard-fought game to record a 0-0 draw, their second successive clean sheet. Nicky Fox was man of the match.

The Under-17s were at home to Priory Boys, their conquerors the previous week, and in a much-improved performance, Allstars managed a 2-2 draw. Dean Lowson and Mark McNulty got the goals and Danny Connolly was man of the match.

In the Richmondshire League, the Under-11 Colts confirmed their status as the Allstars' draw specialists with a 1-1 scoreline at home to Thirsk. Matthew Andrews got the Colts' goal, his second of the season, and Scott Ditchburn was man of the match.

The improved form of the Under-13 Colts continues and, while they went down 2-1 at Oakdene Athletic, were unlucky not to get a point, with a flurry of chances not converted towards the end of the game. Stephen Oliver got his sixth goal of the season and Johnny Maddison was man of the match.

The Under-14s were at home to Newton Aycliffe Youth and lost 1-0, victims of an early goal scored generally against the run of play, neither side having the edge for the remainder of a very even game. Man of the match was Andrew Welsh.

With their home pitch unfit, the Under-12s unexpectedly travelled to Marton Hall Drive and were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller. After some good finishing from Marton and a 2-0 scoreline at half-time, Allstars came back strongly into the game but their two goals from Thomas Shann and man of the match Matthew Sutton were just not enough to get any points, the defeat largely coming about because they left it too late.

Hetton Youth League

Springboard celebrated winning their first game of the season when they came from behind to defeat Springwell 5-4 following a nine-goal thriller.

Man of the match Stephen Davis bagged a brace of goals and others flowed from George Cogden, David Whittle and James Duggan. Springwell were in with a chance until the final whistle and their four goals came from Alan Ritson, Stuart Anderson, Chris Veasey and Ali Lamb.

Lumley's encouraging form came to an end when they hosted Washington Dunlop and when they conceded four goals in the second half, they ended 6-2 behind their visitors.

Gary McCartney and Stephen Middlemiss both scored twice for Dunlop and Jonathan Grainger and Paul Hanson also hit the target. Richard Kay was the scorer of both Lumley goals.